Damon Lindelof Mocking Green Lantern Resurfaces Amid Lanterns Backlash

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The negative reaction to the trailer for DC Studios’ Lanterns is still building, and a past video featuring the show’s creator, Damon Lindelof, is now being widely shared online.

After a brief preview of the upcoming HBO show, viewers rediscovered an old video of Lindelof playfully criticizing the color green in Green Lantern.

The comment is getting backlash from fans who already believe the show isn’t capturing what makes the character special.

Lindelof Joked About Removing The “Green”

In a recently rediscovered video (see below), Lindelof discusses the Green Lantern project at a public appearance.

During the conversation, he jokes about removing the color entirely from the title.

Lindelof explains in the video that the project is simply called “Lanterns” now. He says they all agreed the original name, which involved the color green, wasn’t very good.

I recently rewatched a clip, and something struck me. What was meant as a lighthearted joke completely fell flat – the most telling thing is, nobody laughed. It really highlights how the delivery didn’t land with the audience, and it’s a surprisingly powerful moment when you notice it.

Fans React After Lanterns Trailer Release

The video resurfaced shortly after the Lanterns teaser trailer debuted earlier this week.

Fans were disappointed with the trailer because it didn’t feature the bright green colors usually seen in Green Lantern stories.

The preview isn’t filled with huge spaceships or flashy costumes. Instead, it presents a down-to-earth murder mystery on Earth, with Hal Jordan and John Stewart taking center stage.

Honestly, as a big fan of Green Lantern, I’ve heard a lot of people say this show feels more like a gritty crime drama than a superhero story. They point to the really toned-down colors and the fact that the characters don’t use their powers all that much as the reasons why.

Now, Lindelof’s previous comment about getting rid of the “green” has become a different kind of criticism for those reviewing the show.

Even legendary comic book artist Alex Ross reacted, and not in the positive.

Zack Snyder also seemingly weighed in.

Fans Say The Joke Hits Differently Now

People online are reacting to the video differently now, saying it doesn’t seem so funny anymore and actually confirms what they were worried about.

The first look at the Lanterns series has received some criticism because it doesn’t feature much green, leading viewers to question why a show connected to the Green Lantern wouldn’t showcase the character’s iconic color more prominently.

Others pointed out that the trailer contains almost no ring constructs or large-scale powers.

Lindelof’s comment about wanting to eliminate the color green from the Green Lantern movie is now getting a lot of attention in online fan communities.

Lanterns is scheduled to premiere on HBO in August 2026.

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2026-03-07 06:32